No Kuei-jin Embraces any other, or any mortal. All Kuei-jin originate in the sameplace, travel the same Road Back and have the same primordial spirit essence coursing through them. Origin underscores the majority of variations between the Cathayans and the Western Kindred, in both the physiological and philosophical senses. All Kuei-jin are connected - to the earth, to each other, across life and death- through their Origin.

Despite an individual's homeland, Dharma, social status or political influence, no single Kuei-jin is, as far as the Great Cycle is concerned, inherently different from another. Each Kuei-jin believes that he or she traveled the Road Back for a specific reason. It is the onetruth of all Cathayans' existence: the belief that all Kuei-jincome from the same place. The Way of Origin sums up the fundamental differencebetween the Kuei-jin and the Western Kindred. 'Remember whence you came, for it is the unchanging whole of your purpose.' As one travels farther out from the core of Kuei-jin society, cultural differences and political circumsstances result in differing levels of interpretation of the onecorrect way of unlife for a Kuei-jin - if there is indeed one 'correct' way. Many of the older and more established courts, particularly ones that have their origins in China proper, follow the Fivefold Way with unwavering diligence. The Fivefold Way functions as a guide to realizing that fulfillment, yet adherence and devotion to its precepts vary asmuch as everything else in Kuei-jin society. The Great Principle embodies a Kuei-jin's personal directive of discovering and fulfilling his divine purpose. It permeates practically all facets of Cathayan existence, bothindividual and communal. The Fivefold Way is literally that: a way of life. The Fivefold Way, in contrast to the Six Traditions or theWestern Kindred, acts as much more than a fundamental code of laws. Still, the Great Principle provides a theoretical framework linking all, Kuei-jin in the Middle Kingdom. Whether the vampire in question actually does so or not, whether the vampire's wu and court actually adhere to the teachings, are other matters.

Each new disciple is commanded to learnand live by its precepts, called the Fivefold Way, in his or-her every word and deed.

It is the single most important teachingin Cathayan society. The Great Principle constitutes the ancient code of behaviour for all Kuei-jin.

Kindred of the east disciplines